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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447045745397 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • tntdeliverydepartment@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: CYNTHIA FERGUSON <cynthiafergusondepartment@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 09:13:03 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION : WINNER





The Free Lotto Sweepstakes,PO Box 42 Peterborough PE3 8XH UNITED KINGD OM(Customer Services)

ATTENTION : WINNER,
CONGRATULATIONS!This is to inform you that you have been cleared a winner of the Free Lotto Sweepstakes International program. I am happy to inform you, your Original Certificate and your Certified bank cheque has been forwarded to the courier company. Find below the details of the courier company..TNT COURIER SERVICE @
ADDRESS OF HEAD OFFICE:Link House, 1C CHURCH STREET,WHITCHURCH, HANTS,RG28 7AD ENGLAND. NAME: MR.ANTHONY WHITE (dispatch officer)

EMAIL: tntdeliverydepartment@hotmail.com




Tel.............(+447 045 745 397)Fax:...........(+448704719969 )

You are advised to send the courier company a mail to their email address for their courier cost. When contacting them, you are to include this order number as your subject. Please you are advised to write down the order number and save it ORDER NUMBER: A562725 Note: you are to Quote your complete names, and your direct phone number so that they can honor your letter. Onc e again I say congratulations and always inform me with your dealings with the courier company.
Thanks,Mrs.Cynthia Ferguson.
Claims Agent
The Free Lotto Sweepstakes
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam